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About the course

Our one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) prepares you to teach the business secondary school curriculum. At the start of the course, you’ll usually complete a subject knowledge audit with other trainees in your group. We’ll find out the topics you know well and those you’d like to learn more about, to make sure your skills are up-to-date. You’ll explore topics such as operations management, business ethics, economics, enterprise, and leadership theories. You’ll also look at teaching methods you might use in the classroom, such as using technology to develop pupils’ financial data analysis skills. On this course, you’ll mainly study with your PGCE Business group. You’ll consider how to plan lessons, reflect on your planning, learn how research can develop your teaching practice, and look at ways to develop your teacher persona.

You will also have guest lectures with examiners from a number of exam boards, to help you learn more about how they mark exams and what they’re looking for in pupils’ work. You won’t simply learn ways to teach your class how to write a marketing plan or how to explain Handy's model of organisational culture though, you’ll teach in schools too.

Interview process

Upon receipt of a successful application we will call a candidate to interview. This is usually at Rivington and Blackrod High School. The interview process would consist of the following;

tour of the school

inspire task with a small group of students

a formal interview with a panel

on some occasions a subject knowledge test may be given

How school placements work

The Rivington School Direct is an alliance with a total of nine schools within Bolton. We work on an AB model where trainees will be placed in two contrasting schools. Placement A runs from September to December and Placement B from January to June. This provides the trainee with two different experiences and therefore expands the skills gained during the course.

When on placement in school the trainee will have a trained Subject Mentor who will support them through weekly meetings and observations. They will also have a Professional Mentor who is responsible for their professional development on a whole school level. Trainees will be given a varied timetable of different Key Stages and abilities and will build up the number of lessons they teach gradually throughout each placement.

2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent), which must support the National Curriculum subject knowledge requirements.

For exceptional candidates, those with substantial work experience in schools/relevant occupations, we consider applications with a 3rd class degree.

QTS Professional Skills tests

Personal qualities

We are looking for individuals with a genuine passion for working with young people from a variety of backgrounds with varying abilities. Candidates will need to be determined, reflective and resilient and dedicated to the betterment of the young people in their care.

Other requirements

Candidates will be subject to a DBS check before being able to start the course.

About the training provider

We are an alliance of Bolton based schools, which are wide, varied and unique in terms of their characteristics. We run a bespoke programme of professional enhancement sessions that are an integral part of our programme, delivered by experts from across the alliance. Our alliance consists of highly skilled, supportive Professional and Subject Mentors and schools that provide a wealth of experience and opportunities. Our programme enables you to gain experience within two contrasting placement schools and follows an AB model.

We believe that every child gets one chance and that we can make a difference to the lives of young people. We aim to inspire the next generation of leaders of learning, to challenge, support and develop individuals and to create outstanding practitioners who will shape and inspire future generations. It is our priority to develop individuals who are highly employable within and beyond the alliance.

Training with disabilities and other needs

Rivington School Direct can offer support to trainees with disabilities or other specific needs. An assessment can be undertaken by Occupational Health or with Access 2 Work as appropriate and their recommendations for support /reasonable adjustments will be put in place wherever possible. Schools within the alliance currently provide support for employees with dyslexia through technology designed to support such conditions.